A VISIT TO THE NEWSEUM

A few weeks ago I spend some time in Washington D.C. and was able to visit the Newseum. The Newseum has exhibits and artifact from some of history's most famous events, including the Time Square Bombers car, the rifle used by the D. C. Sniper, a piece of the Berlin Wall, and John Dillnger's Hat and Gun.

The museum also features a number of interactive exhibit allowing visitors to see what it is like to be both field and studio reporters. One of the most popular interactive exhibits allows visitors to sit in a realistic News studio and read news from a teleprompter dealing with some of history's most famous events.

The Time Square Bombers SUV

On May 1, 2010 Fasial Shahzad parked this Nissan Pathfinder in the heart of Time Square. The vehicle was packed with explosives set to be detonated by a couple of travel alarm clocks. The explosives failed to detonate and police were alerted to smoke coming from the vehicle. They traced the vehicle to Fasial Shahzad who was captured two days later. The vehicle is the actual one used by Shazad.

John Dillinger's Hat

John Dillinger was one of the most notorious gangsters of the 20th Century. On July 22, 1934 Dillinger exited the Biograph Theater in Chicago with Ana Cumpanas, (the famous lady in red), As Dillinger reached the sidewalk in front of the theater F. B. I. Agents led by Melvin Purvis opened fire, killing the famous gangster. Dillinger was wearing this straw hat at the time of his death

Whitey Bolger's Hat

Whitey Bolger was one of the most powerful organized crime figures in the Boston area. He was said to be responsible for more than 20-murders over the years escaped capture for over 20-years, spending 12-years on the F.B.I.'s 10-Most Wanted List.  On July 22, 2011, Bolger was captured outside of his apartment in Santa Monica, California.  At the time of his capture he was wearing this simple white bucket hat that is on display in the Newseum.

D. C. Sniper's Rifle

For over three weeks in October 2002 John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo terrorized the Washington, D. C. area by randomly shooting citizens as they went about their daily business. Over the period of 23-days, the two killed 7-people and wounded 7 others. In the early morning hours of October 24, 2002 Muhammad and Malvo were found sleeping in their car at a rest area on Interstate 70, northwest of Washington, D. C.  Recovered at the time of their arrest was this rifle which was used in all of the attacks.

Don Bolles Car

Don Bolles was an investigative reporter for the Arizona Republic Newspaper. Bolles was investigating the connection between the Mafia and local and state politicians when on June 2, 1976, he was to meet an informant at a local hotel. Bolles left the hotel and returned to his vehicle. When he started the vehicle a bomb consisting of several sticks of dynamite exploded, critically injuring the reporter.  Ten days later he would die in a local hospital.  The car showing the bomb damage is on display at the Newseum

The Newseum is spread over 6-floor and I ended up spending about 4-hours taking in all of the exhibits. I could have spent longer it I did the interactive exhibits, but they were very popular and crowded. I stayed outside of the D. C. Area and used the Washington Metro as my principle means of transportation. It's about a 30-minute Metro ride from Franconia-Springfield to the Archives Station.  A short 5-minute walk from the Archives Station and your are at the Newseums front door.

Here's a short 7 and a half minute video of my visit to the museum.